Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jincan Jia, Lei Li, Xiao Lian, Mingzai Wu, Fangcai Zheng, Li Song, Guangzhi Hu, Helin Niu
Summary: Efficient and non-precious-metal-based catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remain a substantial challenge. In this study, hierarchical Co-doped-MnO2@MnCo2O4.5 nanowire/nanosheet nanocomposites with abundant oxygen vacancies and active sites demonstrated higher catalytic activity than pristine Co-doped MnO2 nanowires. The excellent OER performance was attributed to the synergistic advantages of abundant oxygen vacancies and active sites over the hierarchical nanowire-nanosheet architectures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chunxu Jia, Chao Zhen, Lichang Yin, Huaze Zhu, Peipei Du, Ali Han, Gang Liu, Hui-Ming Cheng
Summary: Highly active, robust and low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrodes are urgently needed for industrial hydrogen production via water electrolysis. This study obtained ultrathin NiFeOOH nanosheets with abundant undercoordinated Fe active sites on a Ni foam electrode for OER through electrochemical topologic transition. These electrodes exhibit low overpotentials of 210 mV at 10 mA cm(-2) and a small Tafel slope of 32 mV dec(-1) due to the abundant Fe active sites. They also show high stability at high current densities of 400-600 mA cm(-2) over 2000 hours, thanks to their strong adhesion to Ni foam. Moreover, a high current density of 400 mA cm-2 can be achieved with only a 370 mV overpotentials in a two-electrode water electrolysis system, resulting in an energy efficiency of approximately 77%.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hanjun Zou, Xue Liu, Kaiwen Wang, Youyu Duan, Cong Wang, Bin Zhang, Kai Zhou, Danmei Yu, Li-Yong Gan, Xiaoyuan Zhou
Summary: By introducing Zn2+ into CoFe Prussian blue analogues, abundant high-valence cobalt sites were designed and synthesized, leading to a significant enhancement in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, surpassing the commercial IrO2 catalyst.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qingtao Wang, Kai Cui, Dongxu Liu, Yanxia Wu, Shufang Ren
Summary: This article describes a method for synthesizing a non-noble metal catalyst and demonstrates its high efficiency and excellent stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. Through in situ growth and annealing, nitrogen atoms on the catalyst surface can form more catalytic active sites, and the use of carbon nanosheets as a matrix can improve the electrochemical performance of the composite.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jiangnan Chang, Cong Qin, Ying Zhang, Linghao Zhu, Yan Zhang, Yan Wang, Jianliang Cao
Summary: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has serious negative effects on human health and the atmospheric environment, and the development of NO2 sensors for trace detection is necessary. Doping with Co2+ in SnS2 nanomaterials enhances its sensing properties by inhibiting grain growth and introducing more active sites for NO2 adsorption. The Co-doped SnS2 sensor exhibits high selectivity, moisture resistance, and low detection limit for NO2, attributed to its abundant active sites and strong adsorption ability.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chenghan Li, Tingting Guo, Mengke Guo, Yumin Song, Zhifeng Nie, Xiangguang Li, Gang Yu
Summary: This study presents a facile method for preparing gold-platinum alloy porous nanowires (AuPt PNWs) with tunable composition, which exhibit excellent performance in direct methanol fuel cells. The PNWs with the composition of Au28Pt72 show the highest activities in the methanol solution, with good stability after 2000 cycles.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei-Xiang Ma, Zheng-Qi Liu, Guobin Zhang, Hong-Shuang Fan, Yue Du, Liang Zhen, Cheng-Yan Xu
Summary: A self-sacrificing template strategy is developed to fabricate single-atom Fe-N-C hollow microspheres with ultrathin nanosheets, which exhibit high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance and stability. When used as air-cathode catalysts, they show significantly higher power density and discharge capacity compared to commercial Pt/C.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xingpu Wang, Xueyan Li, Shaosong Ding, Yalan Chen, You Liu, Mingwei Fang, Guozheng Xiao, Ying Zhu
Summary: By using DFT calculations, it was found that hybrid precursors can facilitate the formation of high-density pyridinic-N active sites in N-doped carbon nanomaterials. A hybridization strategy of precursors was developed to fabricate N-doped porous carbon, showing excellent activity and stability in converting CO2 to CO.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin-Yu Zhang, Feng-Ting Li, Ruo-Yao Fan, Jie Zhao, Bin Dong, Fu-Li Wang, Hai-Jun Liu, Jian-Feng Yu, Chen-Guang Liu, Yong-Ming Chai
Summary: This study presents a simple method for constructing F, P double-doped Fe3O4 with abundant defect sites for hydrogen evolution reaction on iron foam, showing great catalytic activity in high- and low-concentration alkaline electrolytes and exceptional stability at high current densities. The unique strategy of using elements with different electronegativities for doping was shown to effectively optimize the electronic structure of Fe3O4 and lower the hydrogen adsorption energy, enhancing the HER performance of iron oxides.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miao Yang, Hao Tan, Shiyu Ma, Yue Mi, Lifeng Liu, Zongyan Zhao, Hong Li, Dehua Xiong
Summary: Cu-BTC-IPA and Co(NO3)(2)& BULL;6H(2)O precursors were used to synthesize CuCoO2 (CCO) nanocrystals with desired crystal phase and morphology. The effects of Fe doping on the crystal structure and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of CCO were investigated. The results showed that Fe doping improved the OER catalytic performance of CCO by reducing the Gibbs free energy and promoting the formation of intermediates.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xi Zhang, Changhong Wang, Yamei Guo, Bin Zhang, Yuting Wang, Yifu Yu
Summary: In this study, Cu clusters homogeneously supported on TiO2 nanosheets with abundant oxygen vacancies were prepared as catalysts for nitrate electroreduction to ammonia. The hybrid catalyst showed improved performance with higher faradaic efficiency and ammonia yield rate compared to the counterpart without oxygen vacancies. Experimental and theoretical results indicated that the oxygen vacancies at the heterogeneous interface between Cu and TiO2-x enhanced nitrate adsorption and optimized hydrogenation, leading to improved efficiency of nitrate electroreduction to ammonia.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minseok Kim, Jaekyung Yi, Seong-Hyeon Park, Sarah. S. S. Park
Summary: This review provides strategic insights into MOF-based electrocatalysts, discussing the introduction of notable active sites and material design principles. It also explores the viability of MOFs as alternatives to currently used electrocatalysts and establishes the future direction of MOF-based electrocatalysis research.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hai-Jun Liu, Shuo Zhang, Yong-Ming Chai, Bin Dong
Summary: This work presents a synergistic ligand modulation plus Co doping strategy to enhance the catalytic activity and durability of 1T-MoS2 catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The results show that the expanded interlayer spacing of 1T-MoS2 promotes active site exposure and accelerates water dissociation, leading to excellent stability and low overpotential for alkaline HER. The formation of three-dimensional metal-organic constructs weakens the hybridization between Mo-3d and S-2p orbitals, making S-2p orbital more suitable for hybridization with H-1s orbital.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ji-Rui Bai, Kai Zhang, Jia-Yao Gao, Shi-Feng Zhao, Peng-Cheng Ma, Zeng-Yu Han, Kai-Bo Pu, Wen-Fang Cai, Qing-Yun Chen, Yun-Hai Wang
Summary: Porous Co-NC electrocatalysts with abundant Co-N-4 and g-N sites were prepared for the first time via zinc-mediated 2,6-diaminopyridine(DAP) composite pyrolysis. Co-NC(Zn12)-900 exhibited excellent ORR activity comparable with Pt/C catalyst, with improved long-term stability and methanol tolerance. Density functional theory calculations showed that the coexistence of Co-N-4 and g-N enhanced the filling degree of 3d-orbital and reduced the on-site magnetic moment of the Co centers, leading to enhanced ORR activity.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baolong Zhang, Hui Fu, Tiancheng Mu
Summary: The electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid has received attention recently. A strategy for synthesis of metal sulfide/metal phosphide nanotube arrays was proposed, which showed improved performance in the electrocatalytic oxidation of HMF.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yunhui Wu, Jiurong Li, Xiujian Zhao, Xiao Gong
Summary: In this study, nickel-doped carbon dots (Ni-CDs) with tunable fluorescence emission were successfully synthesized using a simple one-step solvothermal method. The introduction of Ni enhanced the fluorescence intensity and caused a redshift. By mixing Ni-CDs with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), the self-quenching effect of solid-state fluorescence was effectively avoided. Based on this, high-performance green, yellow, and red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were constructed, demonstrating the potential of these carbon dots for solid-state lighting applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qu Yang, Xiu Gong, Xiaosi Qi, Xuncheng Liu, Cheng Liu, Quanfeng Zhou, Qiang Sun, Yan Shen, Mingkui Wang
Summary: So far, SpiroOMeTAD has been extensively used in high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the most studied hole transport layer (HTL) material. However, its long-term stability is limited by sensitivity to moisture and ion diffusion. In this study, we introduce a highly hydrophobic tetrathiophene polymer (PAQM-DPP) as a chemically tailored modifier for SpiroOMeTAD HTL, which forms a robust bilayer structure and significantly improves stability and tolerance to moisture. Under constant illumination conditions in a N2 atmosphere, the PSCs with the polymer/SpiroOMeTAD bilayer maintained over 92% PCE for 500 hours and exhibited higher tolerance to relative humidity compared to the SpiroOMeTAD HTL counterpart.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanpeng Yang, Haixuan Yu, Letian Dai, Zhiguo Zhang, Anjie Gu, Huaxia Ban, Qiang Sun, Shuangyin Chen, Yan Shen, Mingkui Wang
Summary: This study proposes an effective method using phosphorus pentachloride as an additive to fabricate high-quality and stable CsPbI3 films. The method has great potential in photovoltaic applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhirong Liu, Zhiguo Zhang, Xuning Zhang, Xiongjie Li, Zhiyong Liu, Guanglan Liao, Yan Shen, Mingkui Wang
Summary: This work presents the use of quantum dots (QDs) in perovskite photodetectors to achieve high optoelectronic performance through quantum-dot-assisted charge transmission. The self-powered broad-band photodetector constructed with SnS QDs in FAPb(0.5)Sn(0.5)I(3) perovskite shows direct capture of incoming optical signals at zero bias. The QDs-in-perovskite photodetector exhibits a high sensitivity in the wavelength range from 300 to 1000 nm, with a responsivity of 521.7 mA W-1 at 850 nm and a specific detectivity of 2.57 x 10(12) jones, surpassing previous self-powered broad-band photodetectors. The capability of quantum-dot-in-perovskite photodetectors as data receivers has been demonstrated in a visible-light communication application.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mitang Wang, Chunfu Feng, Yun Liu, Dongliang Zhang, Dehua Xiong, Xiaowei Zhang
Summary: The pozzolanic activity of high-magnesium nickel slag (HMNS) was improved by modifying its microstructure through the incorporation of CaO, resulting in phase separation that facilitated the dissolution of Si and Al components necessary for geopolymerization. The addition of 20 wt% CaO significantly increased the dissolution rate of Si and Al elements and improved the compressive strength of geopolymer. XRD, FTIR, TEM, and DSC analyses confirmed the changes in microstructure and the enhancement of pozzolanic activity due to phase separation and CaO incorporation.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lingli Zhan, Shiyu Ma, Hao Tan, Tiesong Lin, Lixiong Han, Hong Li, Dehua Xiong
Summary: MAS glass-ceramics were prepared using melt and sintering method with two nucleating agents, CaF2 and Na2SiF6. The effects of nucleating agents on the crystallization kinetics, behavior, and properties of MAS glass-ceramics were investigated. The nucleating agents had a significant influence on the characteristic temperatures of the parent glass, but had negligible effects on the crystallization behavior and properties of the glass-ceramics. MAS glass-ceramics showed low dielectric constant and loss, making them potential candidates for electronic devices.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yongfei Hu, Hao Dong, Arnauld Robert Tapa, Javad Shamsi, Javad Shabani Shayeh, Albert Trokourey, Baoshun Liu, Xiujian Zhao, Yi Xie
Summary: In this study, a facile and scalable NaBr-assisted room-temperature aqueous phase procedure was developed for the synthesis of all-inorganic CsPbBr3-embedded PbBr(OH) with controlled hierarchical structures, excellent ambient stability, and strong activity for photocatalytic degradation of dyes in simulated organic wastewater. The CsPbBr3-embedded PbBr(OH) photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under visible-light irradiation, surpassing that of commercial TiO2 and other perovskite-based materials. This work provides insights into the green synthesis of ultra-stable perovskite-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and other promising water treatment technologies.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Jinxu Jiao, Miao Yang, Jingwei Li, Dehua Xiong, Hong Li
Summary: Photovoltaic glass inks enhanced the photoelectric conversion efficiency by improving the reflectance of near-infrared light. In this study, a novel photovoltaic glass-ceramic ink with Bi2Ti2O7 nanocrystals was successfully prepared, filling the gap between TiO2 color pigments and reducing light diffraction. The reflectance of the ink with Bi2Ti2O7 nanocrystals was 20.6% higher in the near-infrared wavelength range compared to the ink without nanocrystals. Our findings provide an important reference for the future development of photovoltaic glass inks.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiurong Li, Jiancang Chen, Xiujian Zhao, Alberto Vomiero, Xiao Gong
Summary: Organosilane-grafted carbon dots (Si-CDs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method and can be uniformly dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. Si-CDs/PVA thin-film LSCs exhibit excellent absorption in the UV spectral region and about 90% transmission in the visible range, with high stability and power conversion efficiency (PCE).
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiang Sun, Anjie Gu, Haixuan Yu, Yan Shen, Mingkui Wang
Summary: Reducing the toxicity of halide perovskites is crucial for the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics. CsSnI3, a low-toxicity alternative, has potential, but the uncontrollable crystallization of tin-based perovskites poses challenges in obtaining high-quality thin films. In this study, high purity CsSnI3 single crystals were synthesized using a wet chemical method. By using these pre-synthesized single crystals, larger grain and defect-free CsSnI3 thin films were obtained, resulting in perovskite solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 6.53% and excellent stability.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenhao Zhao, Liping Wen, Ivan P. Parkin, Xiujian Zhao, Baoshun Liu
Summary: In this study, the Fermi-level (E-F) shift of the UV-illuminated Ag/TiO2 system under gaseous conditions was evaluated using in situ photoconductance and theoretical analysis. The role of Ag nanoparticles in storing and separating electrons was discussed, and it was found that the E-F of Ag/TiO2 is located deeper in the gap and is less affected by temperature compared to undecorated TiO2. The analysis showed that approximately 46 electrons can be stored in 10 nm Ag nanoparticles under the experimental conditions, and the blue-shift of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in Ag nanoparticles is not related to electron storage.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling Li, Yuwei Zhong, Yongfei Hu, Jilin Bai, Fen Qiao, Abdelaal S. A. Ahmed, Ghafar Ali, Xiujian Zhao, Yi Xie
Summary: This study develops a facile room-temperature approach for the synthesis of environmentally friendly all-inorganic orange-red-emitting Ag-doped and Mn-doped lead-free halide double perovskite Cs2NaBiCl6 (CNBC) in the shape of an octahedron. Both Ag and Mn doping heavily enhance the photoluminescence intensity of the CNBC samples, and their stability is studied under various conditions. The photocatalytic performances of the samples are investigated, demonstrating a strong and stable photodegradation activity. This work provides a facile and cost-effective protocol for doped lead-free double perovskites as stable and environmentally friendly alternative photocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Han Pan, Yong Zheng, Wenqing He, Wenxing Yang, Xiu Gong, Xiaodong Liu, Qiang Wei, Yan Liu, Yan Shen, Mingkui Wang
Summary: Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) tin-based halide perovskites have attracted attention due to their low-toxicity and low-cost processability. This study proposes a method to slow down crystallization kinetics in RP tin-based perovskites by regulating intra- and intermolecular interactions. By introducing an electron-rich heterocyclic thiophene into bulky spacers, the intermolecular interaction is decreased and intramolecular interactions are increased, leading to the stabilization of colloids and orderly crystal growth. The perovskite solar cell using this method demonstrates a two-fold improvement in power conversion efficiency compared to the control sample.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhihui Rao, Zhilin Li, Xiujian Zhao, Xiao Gong
Summary: A targeted high-precision luminescence thermometer was designed using a lead-free double perovskite platform by selecting multiple thermally coupled levels (TCLs) of the Er3+ ion. By choosing different TCLs in a single system platform, more precise temperature resolution can be obtained in different temperature regions from 100 K to almost 880 K. This work provides a quantitative guideline for the development of the next generation of temperature sensor based on trivalent erbium ions.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Shiyu Ma, Jilin Bai, Li Sun, Lihong Zhao, Hao Tan, Lifeng Liu, Zhigang Peng, Xiujian Zhao, Dehua Xiong
Summary: This work successfully synthesized CuCoO2 nanosheets and regulated their crystal size by adding PEG and using a solvothermal route. The Ni@CCO2 electrode exhibited outstanding OER performance in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte, with good structural and compositional stability.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
